CONSTITUTION. of THE PI KAPPA ALPHA INTERNATIONAL FRATERNITY

Transcription

1 CONSTITUTION of THE PI KAPPA ALPHA INTERNATIONAL FRATERNITY August

2 Copyright 2016 The Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity, Inc. 2

3 CONSTITUTION of THE PI KAPPA ALPHA INTERNATIONAL FRATERNITY ARTICLE I Name and Object... 5 Section 1. NAME... 5 Section 2. OBJECT... 5 ARTICLE II Fraternal Affiliation... 5 Section 1. CLASSIFICATION... 5 Section 2. STUDENT MEMBERS... 5 Section 3. ALUMNUS MEMBERS... 6 ARTICLE III International Officers... 6 Section 1. NAMES... 6 Section 2. SUPREME COUNCIL... 6 ARTICLE IV International Conventions Section 1. LEGISLATIVE POWERS Section 2. HOW CONSTITUTED Section 3. DELEGATES Section 4. TIME AND PLACE Section 5. NOMINATING COMMITTEE Section 6. POWERS Section 7. QUORUM Section 8. VOTE Section 9. PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE LAWS

4 ARTICLE V Amendments to the Constitution Section 1. AMENDMENTS Section 2. ALTERNATIVE METHOD OF AMENDMENT ARTICLE VI Appeals Section 1. HOW MADE Section 2. APPEAL OF SUPREME COUNCIL ACTION Section 3. CONVENTION ACTION Section 4. PENDING APPEAL

5 CONSTITUTION of THE PI KAPPA ALPHA INTERNATIONAL FRATERNITY Section 1. NAME ARTICLE I Name and Object The name of the Fraternity shall be The Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity, Inc. (hereinafter, the Fraternity ). Section 2. OBJECT The object of the Fraternity shall be to advance the educational interests of its members, to promote leadership development, and to make, maintain and uphold a high standard of life, happiness and integrity for its members by uniting them in closer bonds of friendship and brotherly union. Section 1. CLASSIFICATION ARTICLE II Fraternal Affiliation The Fraternity is a fraternal affiliation of Chapters, student members, alumni members, and such affiliated entities as authorized by the Convention, the Constitution or the Supreme Council. Section 2. STUDENT MEMBERS All students who are enrolled at the host-institution at which they were initiated into a chapter shall be classified as student members of the Fraternity. Student member transferees from 5

6 one chapter to another chapter shall also be members provided the Sending Chapter and the Receiving Chapter follow the procedures prescribed in the Chapter Codes. Section 3. ALUMNUS MEMBERS All members who are not student members in accordance with the Chapter Codes shall be considered alumnus members of the Fraternity. Section 1. NAMES ARTICLE III International Officers The officers of the Fraternity shall be the International President, the International Vice Presidents (including both alumni and student members), and the International Legal Counsel; and the International Historian, the International Chaplain, the Executive Vice President and the full-time assistants of the Executive Vice President, the Executive Vice President Emeritus, the Regional Presidents, and other such officers as appointed by the Supreme Council. Each officer must be an initiated member of the Fraternity. Section 2. SUPREME COUNCIL A. COMPOSITION. The Supreme Council shall be composed of the International President, as Chairman, six (6) International Vice Presidents, all of whom shall be voting members, and the International Legal Counsel, who shall be a non-voting member. The immediate past International President shall serve on the Supreme Council for two (2) years immediately following the conclusion of his term as International President, as an ex-officio, non-voting member. B. INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT. The International President shall be an alumnus member and shall be the 6

7 highest ranking officer of the Fraternity. He shall call and preside at each Convention, and shall render to each Convention an official report of his office with recommendations for improvement of the Fraternity. The International President shall be elected by a Convention for a term of two (2) years. C. INTERNATIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS. There shall be six (6) International Vice Presidents, four (4) of whom shall be alumnus members of the Fraternity, and two (2) of whom shall be student members. The four (4) alumni International Vice Presidents shall be elected by the Convention for a term of two (2) years. The two (2) student member International Vice Presidents shall be appointed annually by the elected alumni members of the Supreme Council, giving preference to those students who are from geographical areas not represented by alumni members of the Supreme Council. D. ROLE OF STUDENT MEMBER INTERNATIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS 1. Each student member International Vice President shall be a voting member of the Supreme Council and shall meet with the Supreme Council at all meetings. He shall provide counsel to the Supreme Council on the affairs and concerns of all chapters. E. TERM OF OFFICE AND RESTRICTION. The voting members of the Supreme Council, except the two (2) student member International Vice Presidents, shall be elected and installed at each Convention and serve until their successors are elected and installed. The number of consecutive terms any member may serve on the Supreme Council shall be restricted to three (3) consecutive terms as International Vice President, and two (2) consecutive terms as International President. F. ELECTION AND VACANCIES. Members of the Supreme Council shall be elected or appointed as provided in this Article of the Constitution. Any vacancy, whether 7

8 resulting from death, resignation, removal, or other cause, shall be filled by action of the remaining members of the Supreme Council. The new member shall serve until his successor is elected and installed. G. SELECTION OF INTERNATIONAL LEGAL COUNSEL. At their first meeting after their installation or as soon thereafter as practical, the voting members of the Supreme Council shall elect and install the International Legal Counsel (hereinafter, Legal Counsel ), who shall hold office until the termination of the next succeeding International Convention (hereinafter, the Convention ), or until his successor is elected and installed. H. POWERS. The Supreme Council shall have the following powers and authorities: 1. To uphold the Constitution of the Fraternity and to manage the Fraternity during the recesses of the Convention; and to make such policies and procedures as it deems necessary, consistent with the Constitution of the Fraternity. 2. To charter chapters of the Fraternity in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Fraternity, to set fees for chartering, and to name each chapter when the charter is issued in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and Chapter Codes of the Fraternity. 3. To suspend any chapters until the assembly of the next Convention. The degree to which the suspension shall be implemented shall be within the discretion of the Supreme Council. 4. To charter alumni associations, to set fees for chartering and to approve the name of each newly chartered alumni association. 5. To place student members of the Fraternity on alumnus status, and to suspend or expel members of 8

9 the Fraternity in accordance with other provisions relative to expulsions contained in the Constitution and Chapter Codes of the Fraternity. 6. To veto any Chapter Code passed by the Convention. (Such veto shall invalidate the Chapter Code unless such Chapter Code was created by a two-thirds (2/3) vote. This veto must be exercised before the adjournment of the Convention at which the specific Chapter Code was created.) 7. To decide all questions and matters brought before it on appeal. 8. To appoint other International Officers. Each Supreme Council will review the positions to be filled and make such appointments, as each Supreme Council deems appropriate. 9. To authorize the utilization of one or more affiliated entities for the further advancement of the Fraternity s needs. 10. To increase the Membership Fee and Chapter Assessment once during any calendar year; provided however, that each such increase shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the current fee or other such charge. The Supreme Council shall notify each chapter of such increase at least one hundred and twenty (120) days prior to the date of effectiveness of such increase. 11. To designate licensed vendors of the Fraternity. Licensed vendors are exclusively authorized to produce and sell merchandise bearing any trademarked logos, names or symbols of the Fraternity including but not limited to publications, clothing, accessories and jewelry. 9

10 ARTICLE IV International Conventions Section 1. LEGISLATIVE POWERS All legislative powers herein shall be vested in the International Convention (hereinafter, the Convention ) or such powers as may be exercised under Article V of the Constitution of the Fraternity. Section 2. HOW CONSTITUTED The Convention shall be comprised of the International Officers, student delegates from student chapters (hereinafter, chapters ) and alumni delegates of alumni associations of the Fraternity. The Conventions shall constitute the meetings of the members of the Fraternity. Section 3. DELEGATES Delegates to the Convention shall be elected by the chapter or alumni association that each represents, and must be members in good standing of the chapters or alumni associations electing them. No delegates shall be permitted to vote at the Convention until the dues and assessments of the chapter or alumni association that he represents are paid in full. Section 4. TIME AND PLACE The Convention shall be held in intervals of two (2) years but no more than three (3) years as determined by the Supreme Council. Section 5. NOMINATING COMMITTEE A Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the International President with advice and consent of the Supreme Council prior to each Convention in accordance with Supreme Council policies. The Nominating Committee will place into 10

11 nomination a slate of candidates for the election of officers of the Fraternity at each Convention. The Nominating Committee will be composed of five (5) members of which three (3) will be alumnus members and two (2) will be student members. One alumnus member will serve as the committee s chairman. Section 6. POWERS The Convention representatives shall have the power: A. To elect the voting members of the Supreme Council, except the two (2) international student member vice presidents, and to install them into office. B. To pass any and all resolutions and Constitutional amendments and amendments to the Chapter Codes, and to adopt all emblems, regalia, signs, symbols and related materials, except where such power is expressly limited by the Constitution and Chapter Codes. C. To adopt changes to the Ritual by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of qualified student delegates, alumni associations, and International Officers at a Convention; however, such amendments shall only be considered once every 10 years. D. To revoke the charter of any chapter or alumni association, and to suspend any chapter or alumni association from the exercise of any or all of its rights for any length of time. E. To expel any member of the Fraternity. F. To decide all questions and matters brought before it on appeal. G. To charter a chapter or alumni association. 11

12 Section 7. QUORUM A Convention shall be legally constituted when delegates with the proper credentials are present from one-half (1/2) of the chapters whose dues are paid in full. One-half (1/2) of the delegates actually present at the Convention shall be required for the transaction of business at any session of the Convention. Section 8. VOTE All matters arising before the Convention shall be decided by vote. Each officer and former National or International President of the Fraternity shall have one (1) vote and each chapter and alumni association, having a duly accredited delegate present and whose dues to the Fraternity are paid in full, shall have one (1) vote. All action taken at the Convention shall be decided by majority vote of those present at the time the vote is taken, subject to the provisions of Article V and except as may be otherwise provided herein. Section 9. PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE LAWS All actions taken by the Convention shall be conducted in accordance with the then current edition of Robert s Rules of Order. ARTICLE V Amendments to the Constitution Section 1. AMENDMENTS The Constitution may be amended only at a Convention or as hereinafter provided in this Article of the Constitution. At Conventions, the Constitution may be amended only by a twothirds (2/3) vote of all the active chapters having accredited delegates at the Convention. Such amendments to the Constitution shall take effect and be of full force immediately upon adjournment of the Convention so passing them. 12

13 Section 2. ALTERNATIVE METHOD OF AMENDMENT During the interim between Conventions, the Constitution can be changed or amended in the following manner: A. A petition for change or amendment may be initiated by any chapter or by the Supreme Council. If initiated by a chapter, the petition must be approved by at least ten (10) chapters and shall be signed by the President and Secretary of each of these chapters; or in the alternative, the petition must be unanimously approved by all of the chapters in one region and signed by each President and Secretary of such chapters. If initiated by the Supreme Council, the petition must be approved and signed by at least four (4) voting members of the Supreme Council. In any event the petition shall clearly set forth the change or amendment. B. When properly prepared and signed, typewritten copies of the petition shall be transmitted to the Executive Vice President who shall distribute copies to the Supreme Council. C. From the petition transmitted to the Legal Counsel, the Legal Counsel shall within fifteen (15) days of receipt thereof, put the entire matter into the form of a question or questions for a vote and cause the same question or questions to be sent through the Executive Vice President to each chapter whose dues and assessments are then paid in full. D. The Legal Counsel shall be required to include with each question calling for a vote, a concise statement of all arguments for and against said question and evidence that shall have been submitted to him. E. In no event shall the Legal Counsel be required or permitted to mail out any such questions between May 1st and October 10th or between December 15th and December 31st of any year. 13

14 F. Each question shall be placed on a separate ballot and all ballots containing a question shall bear the date when mailed by the Executive Vice President and shall be sent by certified mail with return receipt requested and shall clearly state that the ballots of all the chapters entitled to vote on the matter must be received by the Executive Vice President within twenty-four (24) days from the date mailed from the Memorial Headquarters. No votes received by the Executive Vice President after said twenty-four (24) days shall be valid. G. The Executive Vice President shall count all votes received within the twenty-four (24) days. If two-thirds (2/3) of the chapters entitled to vote shall vote in the affirmative, the change or amendment shall immediately become effective and a ledger indicating the vote of each chapter shall be mailed to all chapters qualified to vote. H. A special bulletin setting forth the approved revision shall be mailed by the Legal Counsel to all officers, chapters and alumni associations. Section 1. HOW MADE ARTICLE VI Appeals Any member, chapter, or alumni association of the Fraternity may appeal to the Supreme Council the action or ruling of any chapter, alumni association, or International Officer, except the Legal Counsel. All such appeals must be made in writing and contain a complete statement of the matters complained of and must be received by the Executive Vice President of the Fraternity within thirty (30) days from the date of the action complained of; otherwise the Supreme Council shall dismiss the appeal. 14

15 Section 2. APPEAL OF SUPREME COUNCIL ACTION Any action, order or ruling of the Supreme Council may be appealed by a minimum of ten (10) percent of a combination of all chapters, alumni associations and/or international officers of the Fraternity by filing an appeal to the Fraternity s chapters, alumni associations and officers eligible to vote. The appeal shall be in writing and contain a complete explanation of the reasons for the appeal. The appeal must be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the Executive Vice President of the Fraternity within forty-five (45) days from the notice of action, order or ruling of the Supreme Council. If such appeal is not transmitted within the time period stated above, such appeal shall not be considered. Within 15 days of the appeal s receipt, the Legal Counsel shall prepare the question for ballot to be distributed by the Executive Vice President to all eligible to vote. Those eligible to vote shall consist of all qualified chapters, alumni associations and International Officers. Votes must be cast within 30 days of the ballot being sent or at the Convention should the Convention occur within this period of 30 days and if requested by the appeal. An affirmative vote of two-thirds of those eligible to vote shall be necessary to overturn the action of the Supreme Council. Section 3. CONVENTION ACTION Any action, order or ruling of the Supreme Council or of the Convention may be appealed by any member, chapter, or alumni association of the Fraternity by filing an appeal to the next Convention. The appeal shall be in writing and contain a complete explanation of the reasons for the appeal. The appeal must be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the Executive Vice President of the Fraternity within thirty (30) days from notice of the action, order or ruling of the Supreme Council or ruling of the International Convention. If such appeal is not transmitted within the time period stated above, such appeal shall not be considered. 15

16 Section 4. PENDING APPEAL Such action may not be reversed until the appeal is granted. 16

17 CHAPTER CODES of THE PI KAPPA ALPHA INTERNATIONAL FRATERNITY August

18 Copyright 2016 The Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity, Inc. 18

19 CHAPTER CODES of THE PI KAPPA ALPHA INTERNATIONAL FRATERNITY CODE I Fraternity Name Section 1. NAME CODE II Fraternity Symbols Section 1. BADGE Section 2. BY WHOM WORN Section 3. GREAT SEAL Section 4. COAT OF ARMS Section 5. COLORS Section 6. FLOWER Section 7. RECOGNITION PINS Section 8. NEW MEMBER PIN Section 9. COLONY PIN Section 10. RECOGNITION OF MEMBERS Section 11. ALUMNI IDENTIFICATION CARD Section 12. RING Section 13. BANNER Section 14. PENNANT Section 15. FRATERNITY SYMBOLS, USE OF SYMBOLS

20 CODE III Membership Section 1. CLASSIFICATION Section 2. NEW MEMBER: ELECTION AND REPORTING Section 3. NEW MEMBER: CEREMONY Section 4. NEW MEMBER: TERMINATION Section 5. INITIATION: RESTRICTIONS Section 6. INITIATION: REQUIREMENTS Section 7. INITIATION: TIME AND PLACE Section 8. STUDENT MEMBER TRANSFEREES Section 9. ALUMNUS MEMBERS Section 10. ALUMNUS STATUS Section 11. RESIGNATIONS Section 12. EXPULSION: GROUNDS Section 13. EXPULSION: PROCEEDINGS Section 14. ADMINISTRATIVE SUSPENSION OF STUDENT MEMBER Section 15. REINSTATEMENT OF MEMBERSHIP Section 16. TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP Section 17. SUSPENSIONS CODE IV Dues, Fees, Fines and Assessments Section 1. MEMBERSHIP FEE Section 2. ANNUAL CHAPTER ASSESSMENT Section 3. REGALIA FEE

21 Section 4. ASSESSMENTS Section 5. CONVENTION FINE Section 6. FAILURE TO PAY CONVENTION ASSESSMENT Section 7. FINE FOR ABSENCE OF CONVENTION DELEGATE Section 8. OFFICER OR MEMBER ASSESSMENT Section 9. COMMITTEE FOR COLLECTION Section 10. COLLECTION OF ACCOUNTS Section 11. DELINQUENT ACCOUNTS Section 12. FORM OF CHECKS Section 13. FINANCE CHARGE Section 14. IRS Reporting CODE V Chapters and Chapter Officers Section 1. CHAPTERS Section 2. CHAPTER MEETINGS Section 3. CHAPTER OFFICERS Section 4. SILENT CHAPTERS Section 5. CHAPTER OFFICERS Section 6. ELECTION OF OFFICERS CODE VI International Convention Section 1. CONVENTION CALL Section 2. MILEAGE ALLOWANCE Section 3. PRO-RATA OF EXPENSES

22 Section 4. CONVENTION EXPENSES Section 5. CHAPTER ELIGIBILITY FOR AWARDS CODE VII Secrecy of Regalia Section 1. STRONG BOX Section 2. SECRET ALPHABET CODE VIII Chapter Advisors and Chapter Advisory Boards Section 1. SELECTION Section 2. EXPECTATIONS CODE IX Officers of Alumni Associations Section 1. OFFICERS Section 2. EXPECTATIONS OF SECRETARY CODE X History of the Fraternity Section 1. EXPECTATIONS OF INTERNATIONAL HISTORIAN Section 2. COPY OF HISTORY CODE XI Membership Certificates Section 1. MEMBERSHIP CERTIFICATE Section 2. SILVER AND GOLD MEMBERSHIP CERTIFICATES CODE XII Regalia Section 1. PURCHASE CODE XIII Official Jewelry Section 1. AUTHORIZED DEALERS

23 CODE XIV Calendar Section 1. ANNUAL CALENDAR CODE XV Chapter or Alumni Association Debt Section 1. NON-BINDING DEBTS CODE XVI Free Board or Lodging Prohibited Section 1. PROHIBITION CODE XVII Liability Insurance Section 1. REQUIREMENT CODE XVIII Amendments to the Chapter Codes Section 1. AMENDMENTS Section 2. ALTERNATIVE METHOD OF AMENDMENT

24 CHAPTER CODES of THE PI KAPPA ALPHA INTERNATIONAL FRATERNITY These Chapter Codes shall provide the standards by which all chapters in good standing with The Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity, Inc. shall comply in their operations. The Chapter Codes may only be amended by the chapters through the methods described in this document. Section 1. NAME CODE I Fraternity Name As stipulated in the Fraternity s Constitution, the name of the Fraternity shall be The Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity, Inc. Section 1. BADGE CODE II Fraternity Symbols The design of the badge shall be a shield of white enamel, surmounted by a diamond of black enamel to be beveled so as to form a diamond bounded by curved edges. In the center of the diamond shall be placed the three (3) Greek capital letters, the being larger than the and. In the four (4) corners of the shield, starting in the upper left-hand corner, shall be placed the four (4) Greek letters. Section 2. BY WHOM WORN The wearing of the badge by someone other than a member of the Fraternity shall be restricted to the mother, wife, widow, daughter, sister or fiancée of a member, or a chapter housemother. 24

25 Section 3. GREAT SEAL The Great Seal of the Fraternity shall be as follows: In the center of an inner circle, surrounded by radiating points, shall be the three (3) Greek capital letters, the being larger than the and. Around the upper part of the circle, surrounding the shall be the legend, Founded at the University of Virginia, At the bottom of this circle shall be the four small Greek letters. At the top of this, in large capital letters, shall be Supreme Council, and at the bottom of this Governing the Fraternity. The whole shall be surrounded by a milled circle in relief. Section 4. COAT OF ARMS The coat of arms shall be as follows: A gold triangular shield, known as the first cycle, with a riveted edge and a garnet center. On this shield appear in gold the Greek letters, and underneath the Greek letters a gold dagger with the point downward. A gold ribbon appears on the left and right sides of the shield, respectively, on which are inscribed the small Greek letters in garnet. The shield is supported or rests upon a gold key and sword crossed behind the shield and connected at the bottom with a gold chain which passes beneath the lower point of the shield. The hilt of the sword is clasped with a gold hand. The key crosses from the lower left-hand corner to the upper right-hand corner, with the flange upward. The sword crosses from the lower right-hand corner to the upper left-hand corner and is of the army service saber type. Beneath this shield appear two sprays of lily of the valley in green and white, which cross each other and are tied by a white ribbon. The shield itself is surmounted by an esquire helmet in gold, on which appear three feathers in their natural color, white. In the background appear rays as though coming from the sun. Section 5. COLORS The colors of the Fraternity shall be garnet and old gold. Section 6. FLOWER The flower of the Fraternity shall be the lily of the valley. 25

26 Section 7. RECOGNITION PINS The official recognition pins optional to the wearer shall consist of: A. A small gold capital Greek letter. B. Gold joined letters. C. The Pi Kappa Alpha coat-of-arms. All pins shall have a uniform size according to the official design. Section 8. NEW MEMBER PIN The new member pin shall consist of a red shield of the same shape as the badge, with a gold capital Greek letter in the center, of uniform size, according to official design. No new member shall be permitted to wear any other fraternity jewelry until he is initiated. Section 9. COLONY PIN The colony pin shall consist of a white shield of the same shape as the badge, with a gold capital Greek letter in the center, of uniform size, according to the official jewelry design. Only colony members shall be permitted to wear the colony pin. Colony members shall not be permitted to wear the fraternity badge. Section 10. RECOGNITION OF MEMBERS If any person shall present himself to any chapter, representing himself to be a member or new member of Pi Kappa Alpha, who does not present a current official identification card, it shall be the authority of the Chapter President or the Chapter Secretary to use all available means to ascertain whether or not such visitor is in fact a member or a new member of the Fraternity. Section 11. ALUMNI IDENTIFICATION CARD Any alumnus member may obtain an official identification card of official design from the Executive Vice President upon the 26

27 payment of the cost of such card, whenever the Executive Vice President shall receive satisfactory evidence of the good standing of the alumni member applying for the card. Section 12. RING The official ring shall be of ten karat gold or sterling silver. The design from the top view shows the raised monogram in polished letters, or a ruby with encrusted in gold, the being larger than and ; this center surrounded by an oval border containing a laurel leaf design on the side adjacent to the and an oak leaf design on the side next to the ; the side adjacent to the laurel leaf border will contain elements of the coat of arms in similar arrangement, showing a plumed esquire helmet, a hand holding a saber crossed by a key and connected to the saber by a chain, a ribbon containing in its four (4) folds, a dagger pointed downward; rays form a background; the side adjacent to the oak leaf border shall contain a riveted edged Norman shield containing, the being larger, and a dagger with the point downward; two sprays of lily of the valley will be crossed just below and behind the lower point of the shield and tied with a flowing ribbon; rays form a background. Members may wear rings of other designs. Section 13. BANNER The official standard Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity banner shall be rectangular in shape with the coat of arms in the upper lefthand corner. Starting in the extreme upper left-hand corner, the small letters shall appear in each of the four (4) corners. In the center of the banner, the letters shall appear, the being larger than the and the. The field shall be garnet and the insignia shall be in gold. Section 14. PENNANT The official Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity pennant shall be triangular in shape with the coat of arms occupying the head of the pennant and the letters ΠΚΑ appearing in the center, the Κ being larger than the Π and the Α. The field shall be garnet and the insignia shall be in gold. 27

28 Section 15. FRATERNITY SYMBOLS, USE OF SYMBOLS The Fraternity symbols are the sole property of the Fraternity, created by the Fraternity for the exclusive use by the Fraternity, its chapters and alumni associations, and its members. Any display of or reference to the Fraternity symbols shall be in accordance with the Chapter Codes and any standards adopted by the Fraternity. CODE III Membership Section 1. CLASSIFICATION As stipulated in the Fraternity s Constitution, the Fraternity shall be comprised of student members and alumni members. Section 2. NEW MEMBER: ELECTION AND REPORTING A. Each chapter shall make a good faith effort to recruit prospective student members representing varied backgrounds. Each chapter shall not discriminate in recruitment or in membership on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or religious affiliation. The prerequisites for the new member period shall include: 1. Male; 2. Minimum of 16 years of age; 3. Good academic standing; 4. Never been a member of any existing general, national/ international, secret or non-secret, social college fraternity; 5. Commitment to Pi Kappa Alpha s policies and procedures; 6. Acceptance of a lifelong commitment to Pi Kappa Alpha; and 7. Character compatible with the Fraternity s ideals, and personally acceptable to the respective chapter membership. 28

29 B. No prospective student member shall be invited to join until he has been elected by an active chapter of the Fraternity pursuant to such chapter s by-laws. C. The designated chapter officer of each chapter shall file an official report via electronic or other appropriate means of such prospective members with the Executive Vice President within seven (7) days of the new member ceremony. D. Failure to file the prescribed report via electronic or other appropriate means shall subject the chapter to the requirements of Code IV of the Chapter Codes of the Fraternity. E. To be eligible for membership, a student must have attained a cumulative grade point average of at least a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale Section 3. NEW MEMBER: CEREMONY All prospective members who are duly elected to and accepting of the new member period shall be solemnly joined in a ceremony pursuant to the Ritual and Chapter Codes of the Fraternity. Section 4. NEW MEMBER: TERMINATION The New Member period shall automatically terminate upon the occurrence of any of the following events provided no vote to terminate the new member period may take place within five (5) days of the new member class s scheduled initiation, and further provided that a new member does not violate the Fraternity s Standards within five (5) days of the scheduled initiation: A. When the new member does not pay any amount due to the chapter; or B. When the new member fails to attain a scholastic requirement of the host-institution for one (1) semester or two (2) quarters after the scheduled initiation date, or C. When the new member has remained in the new member period for more than three (3) semesters or five (5) quarters without being initiated; or 29

30 D. Whenever the chapter shall vote to terminate the new member period by a margin of the chapter s choosing pursuant to the chapter s by-laws; or E. When the new member is dropped, expelled or suspended from the host-institution prior to initiation. Section 5. INITIATION: RESTRICTIONS A. Any person rejected for membership by a chapter may not be considered again until the chapter involved has notified all living members of the Fraternity (whose addresses are known to the Chapter) who were student members of the chapter at the time the person was rejected. Members must be notified at least ten (10) days prior to the person being considered again. B. A prospective member who has previously attended another institution where an active chapter of the Fraternity is located may not be elected into membership until the chapter shall have received adequate information concerning him from the chapter at the institution where he formerly attended. However, the chapter may proceed with the election if its inquiries shall remain unanswered for a period of two (2) weeks. Section 6. INITIATION: REQUIREMENTS A. No new member shall be initiated as a student member into the Fraternity until two-thirds (2/3) of the chapter members present at a chapter meeting and constituting a quorum shall have voted secretly in favor of initiation. Said chapter vote must take place at least five (5) days prior to the scheduled initiation. Any new member whose initiation is disapproved by the chapter shall be notified of such decision within twenty-four (24) hours of the vote. B. At no time shall a negative vote for initiation terminate the new member period. C. The vote to approve a new member to be initiated shall not be based upon race, color, creed, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or religious affiliation, but rather in the best interests and ideals of the Fraternity. 30

31 D. The approved initiation of a new member as a student member shall not be valid until he shall have met all of the following requirements: 1. He must be a male, having never been a member of any existing, general, national/international, secret or non-secret, social college fraternity. 2. He must be at least sixteen (16) years of age and shall be enrolled at the host-institution where the chapter is chartered, or he shall be enrolled at a neighboring institution where no chapter or colony of the Fraternity exists. 3. He must be in good academic standing, in accordance with academic requirements for joining. 4. He must have a good moral character. 5. He shall have completed a course in new member education. All new member activities shall be suspended and initiations shall not occur during the period of time which begins seven (7) days prior to, and which ends upon the conclusion of, the official final examination period at the host-institution. Activities may resume after the completion of the official exam period. 6. His ideals, characteristics and principles must be such as will make him a compatible and worthy member of the Fraternity in accordance with its traditions and shall be personally acceptable to its members. 7. He must accept a life-long obligation to Pi Kappa Alpha. 8. He must complete all necessary steps in the online new member registration process provided by the International Fraternity. All steps in the online new member registration process must be completed within seven (7) days of the new member ceremony. E. Any chapter, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of its membership, shall have the right to suspend the requirements contained in this section for a period not to exceed nine (9) months and by another two-thirds (2/3) vote must adopt a voting requirement for that period. 31

32 Any suspension of these requirements and adoption of new requirements must be approved at a regular meeting of the chapter at least five (5) days prior to the time of initiation. Section 7. INITIATION: TIME AND PLACE A. No chapter shall hold an initiation except at the institution where the chapter is chartered and only when the institution is open for a regular session. B. All student members in the chapter must be present for the initiation ceremony, subject to such exceptions as may be established by the chapter by-laws. Section 8. STUDENT MEMBER TRANSFEREES A. No chapter may add to its membership any member of another chapter without following the procedures in this section. B. Any student member who shall seek to transfer his membership (hereinafter, the Petitioner ) from one chapter of the Fraternity (hereinafter, the Sending Chapter ) to another chapter of the Fraternity (hereinafter, the Receiving Chapter ) may petition to the Receiving Chapter for affiliation. The Petitioner shall request the Chapter President of the Sending Chapter to complete a Membership Transfer Form, provided by the Executive Vice President and transmit a copy of the form to the Receiving Chapter. Copies of this form shall also be forwarded to the Executive Vice President and to the Petitioner. C. The Sending Chapter may refuse to give approval for a transfer of the Petitioner s affiliation to the Receiving Chapter. No member may affiliate with any Receiving Chapter if he is financially indebted to a Sending Chapter. A majority vote is required of the Sending Chapter for the requested transfer of membership. D. The Receiving Chapter shall vote on the petition to affiliate. Such vote shall be by secret ballot and permission to affiliate shall be completed only upon a two-thirds (2/3) approval of all of the student members 32

33 of the Receiving Chapter. The Executive Vice President shall immediately be notified in writing of the result of the vote. E. If the petition to affiliate is disapproved by the Receiving Chapter, the Petitioner may assume alumni status with the right to apply to affiliate with another chapter as a student member so long as he meets the requirements pursuant to this Code. F. If a student member transfers but does not petition for affiliation with the local Receiving Chapter, that student member has no inherent rights to attend any Receiving Chapter function, including social events. G. For a student member to be eligible to transfer affiliation from a Sending Chapter to a Receiving Chapter, that member must have attained an accumulated grade point average of at least a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, or the equivalent to that required for being in good standing with the hostinstitution of the Sending Chapter. Section 9. ALUMNUS MEMBERS A. Alumnus members are all members, other than student members, who qualify in any one of the following categories: 1. A student member who has graduated from the hostinstitution at which he was initiated into a chapter of the Fraternity. 2. A student member who is no longer enrolled at an institution which has an active, chartered chapter of the Fraternity. 3. A student member who has transferred to an institution that has an active chapter of the Fraternity but was denied affiliation, or chose not to affiliate with such chapter. 4. A student member who has been properly placed on alumni status pursuant to the Constitution. 5. A student member who meets the provisions of Section 10 of this Code and who elects to assume alumni status pursuant to such Section. 33

34 B. An individual who has been granted the special right to be initiated by the Supreme Council provided, however, that individual is not a student member. Section 10. ALUMNUS STATUS A. A student member may elect to assume alumnus status when one or all of the following conditions apply: 1. The student member is a full-time student in a graduate or professional program. 2. The student member has completed four years (4) as a student member measured from the date of that member s initiation pursuant to approval of the chapter as established by the chapter s by-laws. 3. The student member is a married student and he meets all of the following provisions: a. The chapter has waived part or all of the student member s dues and/or assessments imposed by the chapter due to extreme financial hardship; and b. The designation for alumni status has been approved by the Chapter Advisor. In the event the Chapter Advisor and the chapter disagree, the Regional President shall review the case and immediately thereafter make a final determination. c. Further rights, privileges and responsibilities of a student granted this special status shall be determined according to the by-laws of the chapter. B. This section of the Chapter Codes shall not be construed to require those members whom, on the grounds of the above categories, may apply for alumni status, to discontinue their student membership. Section 11. RESIGNATIONS A. Any student or alumnus member shall have the right to resign from the Fraternity. No member shall be 34

35 permitted to resign if he owes any dues, fees or assessments to his chapter or to the Fraternity. B. A student or alumnus member shall tender his resignation in writing to the chapter stating the reason for his decision. It shall lie on the table not less than eight (8) nor more than thirty (30) days and thereafter shall be acted upon by the chapter at its next regular meeting. C. The Chapter President and Chapter Secretary shall complete the Fraternity Membership Resignation Form and include the resigning member s signature on the form, or in a separate letter of resignation. This document shall be forwarded to the Executive Vice President within fifteen (15) days of the chapter s action. Section 12. EXPULSION: GROUNDS The following offenses may be grounds for expulsion of a student member or alumni member who shall: A. violate any provision of the Constitution, Chapter Codes, or Ritual of the Fraternity, or the by-laws of the chapter to which he belongs; B. commit any act contrary to the laws of the land or the laws, rules and regulations of the host-institution at which the chapter is located; C. violate any order or policy of a regularly constituted body of the Fraternity; D. violate the oath or Obligation taken at the time of initiation; E. be delinquent in the payment of accounts or financial obligations to a chapter or to the Fraternity; F. fall below for a period of two (2) consecutive semesters or three (3) consecutive quarters a minimum grade point average pursuant to his chapter s by-laws. Such minimum grade point average shall not be lower than the minimum grade point average to remain in good academic standing at the host-institution at which the chapter is located. 35

36 Section 13. EXPULSION: PROCEEDINGS A. EXPULSION PROCEEDINGS AGAINST A STUDENT MEMBER BY A CHAPTER. 1. Student members may be expelled from the Fraternity for offenses pursuant to Section 12 of this Code, according to the following Procedure for Expulsion Proceedings: a. A chapter may institute expulsion proceedings against a student member, by serving the student member with a written notice of the chapter s intent to expel the student member (hereinafter, Expulsion Notice ) at least fortyeight (48) hours prior to the start of the expulsion proceeding. In the alternative, this Expulsion Notice shall be sufficient if mailed to the student member s last known address, provided that this notice was mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, at least seven (7) days prior to the expulsion date. b. The written Expulsion Notice shall contain: i. a concise statement of the charges preferred against the student member and the name(s) of the person(s) preferring such charges; ii. a statement of the place and time the proceeding shall be held; iii. a notice of the opportunity to be present at the proceeding and to present a defense as the accused may deem appropriate; iv. a recital of Code III, Section 13 and Article VI in their entirety; and v. an attached copy of the then current Constitution and Chapter Codes of the Fraternity. c. A quorum of members must be present at the meeting to conduct the proceeding. If a quorum is not present, the proceeding shall be 36

37 recessed and rescheduled and each step of Subsection (a) shall be repeated. d. The Chapter President shall preside at the proceeding unless the Chapter President is the accused member, or has a personal interest in the subject of the proceeding. In such event, the Chapter Vice President shall preside at the proceeding. If both the Chapter President and Chapter Vice President are accused members, or have a personal interest in the subject of the proceeding, the chapter shall elect a temporary chairman who shall preside at the proceeding. The proceeding shall be conducted as an agenda item at a regular chapter meeting, or may be the agenda item for a specially called chapter meeting, pursuant to the chapter s bylaws. After all allegations, information and testimony have been provided, the chapter shall discuss such allegations, information and testimony and the chapter shall vote in favor of or against the proposed expulsion. In order to expel a member, at least two-thirds (2/3) of the members present at the proceeding must vote in favor of the expulsion. e. The chapter shall send a written notice of the expulsion (hereinafter, Expulsion Action ) to the expelled member s last known address. The chapter shall then report the expulsion to the Executive Vice President within five (5) days of the expulsion along with the following information: i. A copy of the Expulsion Notice; and ii. A signed Affidavit of Expulsion, approved in form by the International Legal Counsel will be completed by the presiding individual with the result, and shall be submitted to the Executive Vice President within five (5) days. iii. A copy of the Expulsion Action mailed to the expelled student. 37

38 f. For archival purposes, the Executive Vice President shall maintain a file for each expulsion. B. ALTERNATE METHODS FOR EXPULSION 1. A member of the Fraternity may be expelled for the following offenses: C. RIGHT OF APPEAL. a. Due to delinquent payment of accounts or financial obligation to a chapter of the Fraternity; b. Fall below for a period of two (2) consecutive semester or three (3) consecutive quarters a minimum grade point average to his chapter s by-laws. Such a minimum average shall not be lower than the minimum grade point average to remain in good academic standing at the host-institution at which the chapter is located. c. The chapter shall provide notice of the expulsion in accordance with Code III, Section 13. A. 1. (e). 1. Any expelled person shall have the right to appeal to the next Convention. Said appeal must be filed in writing with the Executive Vice President within thirty (30) days from the date of the mailing of the written notice of Expulsion Action. Section 14. ADMINISTRATIVE SUSPENSION OF STUDENT MEMBER A. Administrative Suspension: If a student member is alleged to have engaged in conduct that is unlawful or in violation of the Pi Kappa Alpha Constitution and Codes, that student may be placed on Administrative Suspension. 38

39 B. Procedure: A student member may be placed on Administrative Suspension by a majority vote of the chapter s elected officers for thirty (30) days or during an investigation into the student s alleged conduct. However said suspension shall not exceed forty five (45) days from the date the member is given notice of the suspension. C. Notice: The chapter president shall, within twenty-four (24) hours of the above vote, give written notice to the suspended member. Said notice shall include the following: 1. A description of the alleged misconduct that gives rise to suspension; 2. A request that the suspended member provide a written response to the allegations; 3. A description of the investigation and appeal process; 4. A statement of the possible results of the suspension and if necessary investigation process, including but not limited to: a. Institution of expulsion proceedings according to the Constitution and Chapter Codes; b. Full reinstatement of membership; c. Reinstatement of membership with conditions. D. Reinstatement with conditions: During the period of suspension or at the conclusion of the investigation, the elected chapter officers may, by a majority vote, reinstate the suspended member with appropriate conditions. Said conditions shall be in writing. Failure to comply with said conditions could result in further Administrative Suspension or Expulsion. E. Expiration of Suspension: Should no action be taken within forty-five (45) days of the initial notice of suspension, the Administrative Suspension shall be lifted and the suspended member shall be fully reinstated. F. Appeal: A suspended member shall have the right to appeal to the chapter any conditions placed on his 39

40 membership within ten (10) days of the notice of the conditions placed upon his membership. Said appeal shall be conducted according to the process established by the chapter. Section 15. REINSTATEMENT OF MEMBERSHIP A. Any member or former member who has been expelled, suspended, or who has resigned from the Fraternity may be reinstated in good standing provided that a written petition for reinstatement is filed by the expelled, suspended or resigned member and approved by the individual s initiating chapter and the Executive Vice President. B. The name of all reinstated members shall be set forth in the next published Dagger & Key. Section 16. TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP Membership will only terminate in the event of a member s resignation or expulsion. Chapters may only accept resignations if all dues, fees and assessment are paid in full. A member may not become inactive or disaffiliate from a chapter or the Fraternity. Section 17. SUSPENSIONS A. Upon the suspension or revocation of any chapter charter, any or all initiated members may be suspended. B. Suspended members shall be afforded none of the rights or privileges of membership during the period of their membership suspension. C. Members may only apply for reinstatement after five (5) years from the time that their chapter s charter was suspended. CODE IV Dues, Fees, Fines and Assessments 40

41 Section 1. MEMBERSHIP FEE A. Each chapter shall submit a Membership Fee to the Executive Vice President no later than five (5) days prior to the initiation of each member. B. The Membership Fee shall be $280 per initiate. Section 2. ANNUAL CHAPTER ASSESSMENT A. Each chapter shall annually submit a Chapter Assessment to the Executive Vice President. B. The Chapter Assessment shall be $3,000 per chapter plus $55.00 per initiate; one half of the Assessment shall be due on October 1 and the other half shall be due on February 1. Section 3. REGALIA FEE Each chapter shall, immediately upon receiving its charter, procure from the Executive Vice President the officially adopted regalia, records and other items as prescribed by the Fraternity, and shall pay all related costs and postage. Section 4. ASSESSMENTS The Convention, from time to time, may assess chapters or members for the purpose of raising revenues. Section 5. CONVENTION FINE Any chapter which fails to furnish information regarding Convention within ten (10) days of a request for such by the Supreme Council, Executive Vice President, or appropriate Regional President, shall be fined $5 for each failure. Any chapter which fails to report to the Executive Vice President the name of its delegate to the Convention within ten (10) days from receipt of such request shall be fined $10. Section 6. FAILURE TO PAY CONVENTION ASSESSMENT Any chapter which fails to pay its convention assessment within the time required by Code VI, Section 3 shall be fined the 41